6 Things I Expect To See In The Han Solo Anthology Film

Creative that stays on infinity. Strong advocate for ethnic diversity.

Star Wars Celebration took place in London this past weekend, giving fans of the franchise exclusive looks at upcoming projects ranging from literature, the small screen and the big screen. Ever since Disney bought the rights to Lucasfilm, they made it clear that they weren't only focusing on continuing the main saga, but they also wanted to make spin-offs. I'll be completely honest, when they said spin-offs, I was curious on which character would get that treatment. Many people, including myself, immediately thought Boba Fett (or at least an appearance in Rogue One). Why Boba Fett? Well, if you're not savvy on Star Wars trivia, supposedly after the take down of Jabba the Hut and his crew, Boba Fett flew out of the Sarlacc.

However, Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, announced at last year's celebration in Anaheim that among the spin-offs will be a story focusing on a young Han Solo. Best believe that I almost fainted when that announcement happened, because for those that don't know, Han is my No. 1 character in Star Wars. People often think I like Lando Calrissian, played by Billy Dee Williams, because he's Black. Lando is cool too, but not as cool as Mr. Solo.

A majority of the time, I'm not too keen on prequels. For example, I'm not excited for Rogue One. Not because it doesn't have a presence of a Jedi, but the premise of that movie is to destroy the plans for the Death Star. Again, if you're savvy on Star Wars mythology, you know the end result. Don't get me wrong, the previews that I've seen look interesting, but not to the point where I'm gonna bless it for the sake of being Star Wars affiliated. On the bright side, or should I say dark side (see what I did there), Darth Vader's in it.

During the purchase of Lucasfilm four years ago, other fans recommended I read the books. Whether they took place after Return of the Jedi or before Phantom Menace, these stories were worth the read. Keep in mind, this was before they announced that the Expanded Universe material was considered non-canon. The first Star Wars book I read was Paradise Snare, featuring a young Han. Needless to say, the book was so intriguing I read it twice. The story is about Han shutting down a false religious cult with the help of a slave girl (no, not Leia) and a large humanoid cat named Muuurgh. I thought to myself, "This would make a great movie."

My collection of EU books.

Over the weekend, it was officially announced that Alden Ehrenreich (Hail, Caesar!) would play young Han in the upcoming film slated for 2018. I personally put together a list of things I would love to see in Han's backstory.

Kinda looks like a young Han.

1. Millenium Falcon

Kissel run, anyone?

Now, it's not a Han Solo story without the most famous ship in all of fandom, right? Unfortunately, in Paradise Snare, the ship that Han flew was called the Trader's Luck. To top it off, it wasn't his ship, but rather his boss'. Being smooth talker that he is, he used the ship for his own purposes as well. Typical Han Solo. It would be amazing to see how he obtained his ship as well as that Kessel run he so proudly brags about.

2. Lando

The Black Han.

Back to the character most folks think I like. We all know Han and Lando have a long history together and it would be cool to explore that early friendship. Perhaps Nate Parker (Red Tails, Birth of a Nation) could play him.

3. Chewbacca

My man Chewie.

I believe that everyone and their mother wants to know how these two met. In the books, Han met Chewie as a rookie slave and wouldn't stop following him after Han freed him. Since the books aren't canon, I doubt that backstory would be revisited, again.

4. Boba Fett And Jabba The Hut

What did you do now, Han?

We definitely have to see how Han got started in the smuggling game. With that comes his supposed rivalry with Boba. To take a side trip, I think Boba Fett is the most overrated character in the franchise. Like seriously, what has he done? To me, he looks cool but had no stellar action sequences and barely any lines, yet he's the most popular character in the Star Wars universe? Give me a break. Maybe in Han's movie he'll have more to do, but for the time being, he's still overrated. As far as Jabba goes, of course I want to know why Han owes him and why their conflict grew over the years.

5. Maz Kanata

1,000 years old? She looks 70.

In The Force Awakens, we're introduced to Maz, performed through motion capture by Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years A Slave, Queen of Katwe). In our introduction to Maz, she shouts Han's name as if he owed a debt that he forgot. J.J. Abrams, who directed the film, said that Maz is over a thousand years old and that she knew Han when he was a kid. Now that, I would pay top dollar to see. Plus, she called Chewie her "Boyfriend." I want them to dive in to that piece of history, as well.

6. Sana Solo

Han's got jungle fever.

Right now, I'm currently intrigued by the Star Wars comics that Marvel is publishing. Within one of the arcs Han was married at one point to a black woman. I knew that's why I like Han — Solo had a little jungle fever in him. It would be a great opportunity to showcase a black actress who isn't heavy in makeup or motion captured.

Though the expanded universe is history, that does not mean that they can't pull storylines, characters and worlds from it. Hell, Thrawn from Timothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy is making his way to Star Wars Rebels and the world Coruscant came from Zahn and George Lucas incorporated it in the prequels. Also, Kylo Ren is based off Ben Skywalker and Jace Solo. No matter what they do, I will be there opening night.

What are some things you would like to see happen in the Han Solo prequel?